II. House of Representatives

A. Nebraska’s Representatives 1 st – Jeff Fortenbery 2 nd – Lee Terry 3 rd – Adrian Smith Question: Who represents our district in the House?

B. House Procedures Constituents – People represented by members of the House Many procedures in Congress are organized around one’s party affiliation Caucus – Members of both parties hold closed meetings at the start of every session

Majority Party – Political party with the most members in Congress Able to determine flow of legislative work Minority Party – Has fewer members in Congress

C. Speaker of the House Most powerful member of the House No member may speak without his permission Speakers is always a member of the majority party

Swearing in new House members

D. Floor Leaders Leaders organize people to pass bill favored by their party Majority Leader – Floor leader of the majority party –Speaker’s top assistant Minority Leader – Floor leader of the minority party

E. Party Whips Whips – Assist floor leaders to persuade members to vote for party-sponsored legislation Main job is to get people to show up on day of important votes

F. House Business Quorum – Minimum number of members who must be present to permit to create an official body House can not be in session if 218 members are not present Committee of the Whole – Requires 100 members to constitute a quorum